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Cephalhaematoma
A cephalhaematoma ('cephal' meaning head, 'haematoma' meaning collection of blood) is a swelling (or two) on the top of a baby's head that becomes apparent within 12 to 24 hours following the birth. Cephalhaematomas involve a small collection of blood slowly accumulating between the baby's scalp skin and the bones of their skull. Cephalhaematomas do not look very attractive on your new baby, but they do not cause any problems and will go away on their own.
NOTE: Cephalhaematomas do not affect a baby's health or development and are not in any way related to bleeding inside the baby's brain, as the blood collects outside the baby's skull bone.
A cephalhaematoma happens when friction on the baby's scalp causes the skin attached to the baby's skull (called the 'periosteum') to lift off the skull bone. Blood slowly seeps underneath the skin on one, or both, sides of the baby's head. The two plates of the baby's skull, separated by the soft spot (or fontanelle) on the baby's head, confine the lump(s) to either side of the baby's head. This gives the lumps the appearance of one or two 'horns', rather than an overall swelling over the width of the baby's head, (known as a 'caput'). The skin over the lump(s) remains pink, as the periosteum is very thick and the blood collection cannot be seen through it.
The friction to create a cephalhaematoma is usually caused by the baby's head rubbing up against the mother's pelvis as they rotate and change position during the labour (usually from a posterior position), or from a fast pushing phase before the birth. They can also occur following a forceps or ventouse birth.
Cephalhaematomas can vary in size from being just noticeable, to the size of small chicken's egg (or larger), but more elongated. They usually feel quite soft and spongy.